DISCOVERING THE BEST TIME IN A LIFE TIME OF MINISTRY!
“What is the best time you ever had in a long Lifetime of Ministry?”
Wow. I don’t know. Let me think about it….
Flying or Travelling for Missionary Trip?
The only reason that plane fly in the air is because of the two turbo engines, aerodynamic body and the intelligence system; it is so much fun is that we did it, survived it, then looked back and remembered it with pleasure. Airplane pilot said, “We’ve been ministering to these junior pilots all these years; you ought to learn something of what they go through.” As I say, it was great fun—in retrospect. (Smiley-face goes here).
Being a believer, during the assignment what I learned is when we go for the missionary trip; outside your city; its different experience in the group of 25-35, and we forever bonded. Over the years we have visited with each other, and still keep in touch.
Luke 10:1-2
The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. [2] These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.
My follow believers and disciples in the Ministry; they still remember the joy of meeting the different people, healing and prophetic crusades, prayer and worship with many small children, having word of the God and the most important thing is that, the God using us! By the way, it’s an awesome experience which we believe that we need to go once a year along with the Church believer’s!
A Particular Mission Trip?
Matthew 10:1,5,7-10
Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. [5] Jesus sent out the twelve apostles with these instructions: “Don’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans, [7] Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received! [9] “Don’t take any money in your money belts-no gold, silver, or even copper coins. [10] Don’t carry a traveller’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve to be fed.
Recently we had a trip to North of our Church and back was part of a long, long process of waiting an evangelistic missionary there…then having praise and worship session, outdoor activities; colouring each of the many pages (with acrylic and tiny brushes!), enjoying the food and fresh nature walk and water bodies. The presence of the God was there with the Holy Spirit manifestation of Miracles; we could see the works and presence of the Lord Jesus Christ healing mute and dumb child from the birth, prophetic anointing in the visiting families! Glory and glory be to the Lord of the Jesus Christ!
It was fun mainly in retrospect because:
– We did it
– It was most unusual
– we would pray to be doing again every year!
– We survived it
Getting to know missionaries like me and my friends, as well as our Director and coordinator, was a special delight.
That Deacons Meeting?
That deacons planning and meeting that went on for hours with me as its subject (“to go or not to go, that is the question”) was exhilarating only in looking back after we saw how God used it and what the God gave Spiritual gift to us.
But at the time, it was fun.
Acts 6:2-4
So the Twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, “We apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program. [3] And so, brothers, select seven men who are well respected and are full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will give them this responsibility. [4] Then we apostles can spend our time in prayer and teaching the word.”
In fact, I was praying to expand our ministry and God started moving behind the scenes and helping the Spiritual Adventure in the people life; who were waiting for the Word of the God, prophetic anointing, healing and Salvation!
There are times in the Lord and attending the Church; Sundays and cell group is definitely like receiving the Word of the God. However, to have the Missionary experience, personally meeting with widows, needy, orphans and destitute. I can say it gave blessings of joy, peace, prosperity God’s way in our life and sheer fun. Moreover, it build strong relationship with the God and the group members to walk humbly with the Lord, be just and humble with the people!
Well, perhaps the times of silliness sitting around with the staff in someone’s home, opening gifts we were sharing and acting crazy, that sort of thing. But in actual ministry, we can’t think of a time when it was total enjoyment without a strong element of burden/anxiety/something.
Ministry is hard work, demanding more than we could produce at any given moment, thus throwing us on the mercy of the Lord for strength. It requires total commitment.
The joy comes in looking back, knowing we did it, we survived, and that something good was accomplished.
My Holy Trip?
Matthew 28:18-20
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. [19] Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. [20] Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Such was the trip to the needy and poor children, playing with them, talking with them, having fun with them and sharing the love of the Lord Jesus Christ is an awesome experience always. You will be shocked to know that being a believer; and one fine day I wanted to share love and Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ with my niece and my cousin sisters; who are unbelievers, they told me about Lord ’s Prayer of the God and about the Holy Spirit because they are studying in Missionary Christian School! It was like I jumped to know what they said; we want to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Lord and personal Savior but we have family restrictions. Really we need to understand the essence of Intercessory prayer group, who can pray for others!
The next morning when I walked into the breakfast room, one entire wall was a window overlooking the city. It was the most magnificent thing I’d ever seen.
Several times that week, we “worshipped and prayed,” as the song goes.
We stayed few days in the new land where our Lord took us! Its adventure and so refreshing, it’s awesome? That’s do not have the word for it.